Safety-pin.



Patented July I6, I90! T. W. PITTS.

SAFETY PIN.

[Application filed Sept. 14, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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THOMAS l/V. PITTS, OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA.

SAFETY-PIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,626, dated July 16, 1901. Application filed September 14,1899. Serial No. 730,426. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS W. PITTS, of Gainesville, in the county of Alachua, State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toilet-Pins, of which the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce an improved toilet-pin which, in that it comprises a spring-actuated pin and keeper, is comprehended under the general class of safety-pins; but its range of use is more extensive than that of the usual safety-pin. It is adapted not only to be used like the ordinary safety-pin, but, also being applicable in such a manner as to avoid strain upon the pin proper, to be employed in a variety of uses to which the ordinary safety-pin is not adapted.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a perspective view of a preferred form of embodiment of my pin, showing the two parts that are hinged together in close juxtaposition. Fig. II is a similar View showing hinged portions spread apart. Fig. III is a similar view showing the two parts of my device pivotally united by a coiled member instead of the plate shown in the other figures.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, 1 and 2 indicate the end pieces of a frame, which is completed by a back piece 3 and by a pin or piercing member 4:- The member 4 is resiliently united, as by a bend 5, to one of the end pieces-as, for instance, the end piece 1. The free end or pointed extremity 6 of the member 4 is adapted to be engaged .by a hook or keeper 7, formed in the end piece opposite to that which carries the member 4. Associated with the frame or assemblage of elements above described is a corresponding frame comprising end pieces 9 and 10, a back piece 11, a piercing member 12, and a keeper 13. The two frames are incorporated into one device by means which mov ably unite the back pieces 3 and 11. This movable union may be intimately perfected by the employment of a sheath 14, which envelops the back pieces. This sheath may be made of plate metal bent into cylindrical or The sheath, in connection with the backpieces 3 and 11, may be constructed so as to throw both pins toward each other, as shown in Fig. I, in which position insertion of the pins into a fabric is facilitated. This construction may be obtained by imparting a slight curvature to the back pieces, which co operate in close juxtaposition to each other within the enveloping sheath. It is obvious that a slight curvature in the sheath, the back pieces being straight, will produce the same effect.

It is not essential that the pivotal union of the back pieces should be so intimate as that effected byinclosing them in one sheath; but the sheath may, if preferred, be broadened and constitute, in efiect, a link connection between the back connections, said link connection being longitudinally coextensive with the back connections.

In practice my pin will frequently be made of very light material, in which instance certain parts may be strengthened by any preferred and available means. For example,

the wires 2 and 10, with their respective keepers, may be doubled. The spring connection 5 may also be coiled to secure increased resiliency; but these are details of manufacture to which it is not my intention to limit my invention. a

It was in the foregoing general statement suggested that my device may be applied so as to divert the strain fromthe pins properthat is, the members 4 and 12to the frame of the pin. By way of further explanation in this connection it may be added that the end pieces 1 and 9 may be by insertion of the pins 4: and 12 into the fabric of a garment made to sustain the strain which is exerted against the opposite end pieces 2 and 10, respectively. The device may be also emas shown in Fig. I, the pin may be employed projecting in the same direction, substanas an ordinary safety-pin; but as such it a ftially as set forth. :0

fords increased strength and security. In testimony of all which I have hereunto What I claim is snbscribed my name.

5 A toilet-pin comprehendingapair of frames THOMAS W. PITTS.

comprising, respectively, backs, end pieces, Witnesses:

pins and keepers, and means as described for CHAS. E. RIORDAN,

throwing the pins toward each 0131161313116 pins JOSEPH L. ATKINS. 

